SBA loans available in North Suncoast counties affected August flooding

BROOKSVILLE — Residents and business owners in Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Sumter counties who were affected by severe storms and flooding between Aug. 15 and 26 may apply for low-interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration, the agency announced Wednesday.

Today, the SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at Brooksville City Hall, 201 Howell Ave. The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 26. Saturday hours will be from 8 a.m. to noon.

Acting SBA administrator Jeanne A. Hulit made the loans available in response to a letter from Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who requested a disaster declaration.

In Hernando County alone, assessments determined that 183 properties, including 10 businesses, were affected by flooding. Thirty of those had major damage or were destroyed.

The deadline to return applications for assistance for property damage is Nov. 18. The deadline for businesses and nonprofit organizations to return applications to cover economic injury is June 17.

Those unable to visit the center may receive information and loan applications by calling toll-free 1-800-659-2955 or by sending email to [email protected] Applications also may be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster.

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